Four professional hockey players in the NHL face charges in Canada for a sexual assault incident that occurred in 2018.

Four National Hockey League (NHL) players have been charged in connection with an alleged group sexual assault that occurred in 2018, according to their lawyers. The players charged are Mike McLeod and Cal Foote from the New Jersey Devils, Carter Hart from the Philadelphia Flyers, and Dillon Dubé from the Calgary Flames. Former NHL player Alex Formenton has also been charged in relation to the same incident. All five players have stated their intention to plead not guilty. The alleged assault took place when the five individuals were members of Canada's World Junior ice hockey team. Lawyers for McLeod confirmed the charges and stated that he denies any criminal wrongdoing. Hart's lawyers also confirmed the charges and asserted his innocence, emphasizing that he will provide a full response in court. Dubé's lawyers stated that he will plead not guilty and maintain his innocence. Foote's lawyer defended his client, saying that he is innocent and will fight the allegations. Formenton, who currently plays for Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland, voluntarily surrendered to the police and his lawyers released a statement declaring his innocence and requesting that judgment be withheld until all the evidence is presented. All players took a leave of absence from their respective teams last week. The charges are related to an alleged sexual assault that took place in London, Ontario, following a Hockey Canada Foundation fundraising event in 2018. Initially, a 24-year-old woman filed a lawsuit against Hockey Canada, alleging that she was assaulted by eight players on Canada's World Junior team in a hotel room that night. She claimed to have felt pressured not to report the incident to the police. In May 2022, it was revealed that Hockey Canada had quietly settled with the woman, leading to national outrage and the organization losing federal funding and sponsorship deals. Following this revelation, the Globe and Mail reported that Hockey Canada had established a National Equity Fund financed by membership fees paid by young players across the country to resolve past sexual assault claims. Subsequently, the London Police Service reopened their investigation into the alleged assault. More information related to the ongoing investigation will be provided at a news conference on February 5, according to the London Police Service.